Depth progress recording apparatus for wells



May Z5, 1954 J. E. YANCEY DEPTH PRoGREss RECORDING APPARATUS FOR wELLs 4Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 3, 1949 May 25, 1954 .1. E. YANcEY K 2,679,161

DEPTH PROGRESS RECORDING APPARATUS FOR WELLS Filed Nov. 3, 1949 4Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTRNEK May 25, 1954 J. E. YANCEY 2,679,161

DEPTH PROGRESS RECORDING APPARATUS FOR WELLS Filed Nov. 5, 1949 y 4Sheets-Sheet 3 E JNVENToR.

Jesse 5 )/zcey ff A May 25, 1954 J. E. YANCEY 2,679,161

DEPTH PROGRESS RECORDING APPARATUS FOR WELLS Filed Nov. s, 1949 4sheets-sheet 4 INVENToR. EL?. 9. Je sse .E Va/:'q/

I i ATTORNEY.

Patented May 25, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEPTH PROGRESSRECORDING APPARATUSl FOR WELLS 10 Claims.

l This invention relates to an instrument particularly adapted for usein the drilling of oil wells for recording the progress of the drillingoperations whereby to indicate the s eed of drilling, the character ofthe earthen ormations through which the drilling takes place; the numberof feet drilled within a given period of time; and the time spent inservicing the drilling equip- :f ment and other activities necessitatingtemporary Y cessation of actual drilling operations.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a recordingdevice capable of indicating the above information and including aclock-driven tape provided with a stylus swingably mounted for movementwith respect to the path of travel of the tape, there being structureoperably interconnecting the stylus and the well drilling equipment forimparting swinging movement to the stylus each time the drillingassembly descends a predetermined distance whereby to indicate on thetape the number of feet drilled in any given period of time.

Another important object of the present invention is to providestructure as above set forth and including limiting or control means forthe swinging movement of the stylus for marking the tape to render thesame easily read by showing through marks of diifering lengths, eachfoot of drilling, each two foot descent of the drilling assembly andeach ten foot progress during a given period of time as determined bythe speed of A movement of the tape.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide arecorder wherein the stylus is mounted for a secondary swinging movementor indicating on the chart each time the drill is moved from the bottomof the well by lines marked on the tape on one side of the aforesaidfootage marks, all movements of the stylus with;v respect to the tapebeing automatic and without the necessity of operator attention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotatablemember operably interconnected with the well drilling equipment forrotative movement in accordance with the extent of downward movement ofthe drilling bit, such rotative member being provided with structure toperiodically close an electric circuit having a sole-1y noid or likeprime mover therein for actuating the stylus and indicating on theadvancing tape the",l fact that the rotative member has progressed aspecified distance.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novelclutching arrangement so formed as to automatically become inoperablefrom the standpoint of actuating the stylus to indicate drillingprogress, the clutch having parts associated therewith for energizinganother electrical circuit also provided with an electric prime moverfor swinging the stylus in an altogether differing manner whereby toindicate on the chart that the drilling assembly has been moved from thebottom of the well toward a fully withdrawn position with respectthereto.

Other objects of the present invention include the way in which theprime movers for the stylus are controlled for momentary energization;the way in which the stylus is locked on one side of a main indicatingline on the tape while the drillinfr assembly is in an inoperativeposition; the

way in which manual control means is provided for releasing the lockingassembly when the drilling operation is resumed; the manner of providinga specially formed combination rotatable cam and ratchet assembly forcontrolling the swinging movement of the stylus during normal operation;and the way in which a pair of stops or limiting means is provided inconnection with the cam to produce the desired markings on the tape asalcove set forth.

Many other more minor objects including details of construction will bemade clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses,reference being had to the. accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, parts being broken away showing the stylusand tape assembly of a depth progress recording apparatus for wells madein accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on line II-II of Fig. 1looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detailed, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takenon line III- Ill of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional View taken on lineIV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation showingthe stylus control assembly forming a part of the recorder and adaptedfor operable connection with the well drilling equipment.

Fig. 6 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken on line VI-VI of Fig.5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on irregular lineVII-VII of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a substantially central, vertical, crosssectional view througha piston-type switch actuating mechanism forming a part of the styluscontrol.

Fig. 9 is a transverse, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on lineIX-IX of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram showing the electrica-l components of therecorder.

Those skilled in this field are well aware of the imminent need for anaccurate and satisfactory automatic recording means capable of loggingthe formations penetrated particularly in the rotary method of sinkingwells where it is difficult to obtain accuracy through conventionalmethod such as coring of the formations. Furthermore, a progress reportfrom day to day is extremely desirable, that will not only indicate thespeed at which drilling takes place, but the time consumed inprogressing a predetermined distance, which, of course, depends on manyfactors including the nature of the formations as well as time consumedin repair, servicing and other activities as a consequence of the welldrilling operation itself.

While instruments have heretofore been developed capable of indicatingsuch progress, such instruments have not been entirely satisfactory fromthe standpoint of accuracy and furthermore, have been incapable ofrecording all of the data that is needed and desired.

The instrument about to be described is entirely automatic and willrecord all of the aforesaid data for each full days operation andpresent a permanent record for the well from the beginning of thedrilling thereof until such time as the same is complete and ready forpumping.

The recorder hereof is adapted for the automatic operation and actuationby the well drilling equipment and can easily be coupled therewith inthe conventional manner. As is known, such equipment (not shown)includes a derrick having a platform for supporting the usual drillingapparatus having rotary motion imparted thereto through a drive stem orKelly joint. The derrick has a crown block provided with a plurality ofsheaves at the uppermost end thereof and the derrick also supports ahoisting reel and a traveling block, all operably connected with thedrill stem for controlling the reciprocable movement thereof.

As rotary movement is imparted to the drilling string that is suspendedby tackle construction and swivel means, such string and the bit thereonare permitted to descend within the well in accordance with the progressof the bit. The control assembly of the instant recorder illustrated inFigs. 5 to 9 inclusive, is adapted for operable connection with suchdrilling equipment in any suitable conventional manner not shown.

A housing, broadly designated by the numeral I2, has a horizontal shaftI4 journaled therein, shaft I4 being provided with a sheave I6. Rotativemovement is imparted to the sheave I6 and consequently to the shaft I4by means of a cable I8 trained therearound and as aforesaid, attached tothe well drilling assembly.

As the drilling string descends within the well, sheave I6 is rotated inthe direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7 and manifestly, as suchdrilling string is elevated to move the bit thereof from its normaloperating position at the bottom of the well, rotative movement isimparted to sheave I6, through cable I8 in a direction opposite to thearrow shown in Fig. 7.

A clutching assembly within the housing I2 is provided on shaft I4 andincludes a wheel 26 provided with a bearing 22 for rotatably mountingwheel 20 on shaft I4, bearing 22 having a bushing 24 reciprocablelongitudinally on shaft I4.

Wheel 20 is provided with a disc 26 rigidly secured to the normallyinnermost face thereof and made from any suitable non-conductive,frictional material such as cork. A secondary wheel 28 provided with abearing 38 for mounting the same on shaft I4 and for rotation withrespect thereto, is disposed adjacent the disc 26.

Wheel 28 is formed from a non-conducting material and is provided with aband 32 forming the circumference thereof made from brass or otherelectrical conductor.

A spring 34 coiled about the shaft I4 and held in place by a nut 36 onshaft I4, bears against the outermost end of bushing 24 and normallyholds wheels 20 and 28 biased inwardly with the bearing 30 of wheel 28against an enlarged boss 38 forming a part of shaft I4. Boss 38 of shaftI4 is provided with an outwardly extending radial pin 40 disposed tocontact either of a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extendingpins 42 and 44 mounted on the wheel 28 as the shaft I4 rotates relativeto the wheel 28. Pin 44 is connected with the metallic band 32 by meansof a conductor 46.

A metallic spring 48 mounted on a bracket 56 within case I2 is biased inwiping engagement with the metallic band 32- and coupled within theelectric circuit illustrated in Fig. 10 by a wire 52 joined with anelectric switch 54. Corresponding indicating numerals have been used inFig. 10, but further explanation of the wiring diagram of Fig. 10 willhereinafter appear.

A cam member 56 is mounted on the periphery of the wheel 28 and, asillustrated in Fig. 'l of the drawings, the member 56 is provided with aradial leg 58 and an integral tangential leg 60. An elongated, verticalarm 62 is pivotally mounted for swinging movement on a horizontal axisat 64, arm 62 being provided with a flange 66 adjacent its lowermostend. The uppermost end of the flange 66 is within the path of travel ofthe cam member 56 and as the wheel 20 rotates in the direction shown bythe arrow in Fig. 7, cam 56 will move the arm 62 on pivot 64 to theposition shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7. The lowermost end of the arm62 is bifurcated for slidably receiving a horizontally reciprocableshaft 68 having a head III on one end thereof. Consequently, as the arm62 swings to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7, shaft 68 will bemoved to the dotted line position thereof.

A spring 'I2 coiled about the shaft 68 is interposed between a bracket'I4 for reciprocably mounting shaft 68 and a collar 'I6 on shaft 68 foryieldably holding the shaft 68 and the arm 62 biased in the normalposition shown by full lines in Fig. 7. Bracket 14 secured to theinnermost face of the bottom wall of case I2 also mounts a cylinder I8having the ends thereof open and one end provided with a stop 80.

A cylindrical cup 82 is reciprocably mounted within the cylinder` 'I8and extends beyond the An air leakage port 88 is provided in the cup 82adjacent the outermost end thereof.

It is clear that as the arm 62 is swung to the dotted line positionshown in Fig. 7, shaft 68 and its piston 86 will likewise be moved tothe dotted line position shown in Fig. 7 Movement of the cup 82 however,in such direction is limited by the stop 80 on cylinder 18. As soon asthe cam member 56 moves upwardly to clear the uppermost end of the ange66, arm 62 will return to the normal position shown by full lines inFig. '7 under inuence of the spring 12 and such quick snap-like returnmovement of arm 62 and the shaft 68, will cause movement of the cup 82away from the stop 80 because of the air within the cup 82 drawnthereinto by piston 86 through port 88. Cup 82 will immediately returntoward the stop 80 as such air escapes from the port 88 until the stop88 is reached.

Cup 82 serves to close a normally open switch 90 by its end wall 84engaging plunger 92 of switch 90 as cup 82 is forced away from the Stop80. Consequently, switch 90 is held closed only momentarily by the cup82 and as the latter returns to the normal position within cylinder 18,spring-loaded plunger 92 will automatically reopen switch 90. Normalrotative motion is imparted to the wheel 20 and its cam 56 to actuateswitch 90 as just above described, by rotation of sheave I6 and shaft |4as the bit of the well drilling assembly progresses downwardly.

It is contemplated that sheave I6 and the wheel 20 rotate one revolutionfor each foot of downward movement of the drilling bit, consequentlyswitch 90 will be closed each and every time such progress is made.Spring 34 on shaft I4, holding the disc 26 and the wheel 28 infrictional engagement, causes shaft I4 to impart rotative movement toboth wheels 20 and 28 when pin 40 contacts pin 42. When however, thesheave I6 and shaft I4 rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow inFig. 7, pin 40 will be moved into contacting relationship with the pin44, thereby closing an electric circuit through a pair of solenoids 94and 96 mounted upon one vertical end wall of the case I2 in attractingrelationship to the outermost face of the metallic wheel 20. When thesolenoids 94 and 96 are thus energized to attract wheel 20, the latterwill move longitudinally with respect to the shaft I4 against the actionof spring 34, thereby moving the gripping disc 26 out of engagement withthe proximal face of the wheel 28. Continued rotation of the sheave I6and shaft I4 in such direction will continue to rotate wheel 28 byvirtue of pin 40 engaging pin 44, but such counter-rotative move- 54, itbeing noted in Fig. 5 that the plunger |04 contacts the uppermost faceof arm 98. The wheel 20 is unlocked and permitted to return to thenormal operating position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and the switch 54 isclosed through the medium of energization of a solenoid |66 mountedwithin the case I2 above a transverse metallic attracting plate |08 onthe arm 98.

The assembly of parts of the recorder that is controlled by themechanisms just above described, is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawing and further in detail, by Figs. 3 and 4.

A hollow, open top housing ||0 is provided with an elongated,substantially horizontal at table II2 extending longitudinally thereofadjacent its open top, table II2 being supported by a number of bracketsII4 secured to one side wall of the housing ||0.

A strip of tape ||6 is coiled upon a reel II8 rotatably mounted onupstanding brackets |20 on the bottom wall of housingl |I0 below tableII2. Tape ||6 is threaded upwardly from the reel ||8 about ahorizontally rotatable drum |22 adjacent one end of table II2. From drum|22, tape I I6 is extended across the uppermost surface of the table II2and thence downwardly along an apron |24 at the opposite end of tableII2.

A hollow cylinder |26 suitably mounted within the housing I0 below thetable I I2 and adjacent the apron |24, has an opening |28 for receivingthe tape II6 as the same is advanced along the table II2 in thedirection indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. The tape I|6 isautomatically formed into a roll within the cylinder |26 as indicated inFig. 2.

A suitable clock or other timing mechanism of conventionalv characterand designated by the numeral |30, is rigidly mounted within the housingI|0 with its drive shaft |32 parallel with the ment of the wheel 28 willhave no effect upon the retracted wheel 20.

A resilient locking arm 98 mounted at one end thereof immediately belowthe switch 54, is normally biased against the circumference of wheel 20as indicated in Fig. 5 and as the wheel 20 is retracted toward the nut36 by solenoids 94 and 96, arm 98 automatically drops to a positionriding upon a circumferential portion |00 of reduced diameter andforming a part of the wheel 20. Such portion|00 presents an annularshoulder |02 facing inwardly and as solenoids 94 and 96 arede-energized, return movement of the wheel 20 under influence of thespring 34 toward the wheel 28, is limited by shoulder |02, contactingthe proximal outermost free end of the arm 98. Such movement of arm 98also causes opening of the switch 54 by permitting downward movement ofspring-loaded plunger |04 of switch axis of rotation of drum |22.

A train of gears (not shown) interconnects the drive shaft |32 of timingmechanism |30 with the drum |22 and as drum |22 is thus caused torotate, tape II6 is advanced along the table II2 by virtue of sprockets|34 on drum |22 and corresponding marginal rows of perforations |36formed in the tape IIS. The tape ||6 is held taut on the table II2through the medium of a frictional roller |38 rotatably mounted in thecylinder |26 and in a position to hold the tape I I6 against thecylinder |26 adjacent inlet opening |28.

Roller |38 is driven by the drum |22 through the medium of an endlessbelt |40, trained about a pulley |42 on drum |22, a pulley |44 on roller|38 and an idler pulley |46 mounted within the case ||0 below table II2to hold belt |40 in a tight condition.

A plurality of standards |48 mounted on the bottom wall of housing IIO,carry a horizontal plate |50 on the uppermost end thereof and disposedbeneath the table II2 adjacent apron |24. Plate |50 mounts a pair ofsolenoids |52 and |54 together with a substantially Z-shaped member |56by means of a. pivotal connection |58. Member |56 extends outwardly in ahorizontal plane from the bracket |50 and swings on its vertical axis|58 in spaced relationship below the table II2.

Member |56 carries a solenoid |60 adjacent the outermost free endthereof remote from pivot point |58, together with a relatively shortmetallic arm |62`pivotally secured to the member |56 intermediate itsends as at |64.

An elongated stylus |66 is adjustably secured to the arm |62 on one sideof the pivot point |64, the outermost free end of the stylus |66 beingin constant marking engagement with the uppermost face of tape ||6.Stylus |66 and the arm |62 are held biased toward one end of theirswinging paths of travel by a spring |68 interconnecting the stylus |66and the member |56.

A substantially J-shaped rod |10, a screw |12 and a spring member |14are all adjustably mounted on the arm |62 adjacent that end thereofopposite to stylus |66 and all extend in the same direction toward themember |56.

A cam member |16, detailed in Figs. 3 and 4, is rotatably mounted uponthe member |56. Cam member |16 has an annular row of ratchet teeth |18thereon in alignment with the spring member |14, a row of indentations|80, there being five of such indentations |80 illustrated and inalignment with the screw |12, and a single indentation |82 between theteeth |18 and the indentations |80 in alignment with the J-shaped rod|10. As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the single indentation |82 forthe J-shaped rod |10, is aligned with one of the five indentations |80.It is noted in Fig. 3 that the indentation |82 is a continuation of oneof the indentations |80 and that it extends therefrom, toward the teeth|18, in alignment with the rod |10. All of the indentations |80 and |82are provided with flat chord-like bottom walls as shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawing. The spring member |14 is biased against the teeth |18 andserves to impart rotative movement to the cam member |16 when the arm|62 is swung in one direction toward the cam |16. A second spring member|84 on the member |56 is also biased against the teeth |18 and serves toprevent counter-rotative movement of the cam |16.

Swinging movement is imparted to the member |56 on its pivot point |58by energization of the solenoid |52. Solenoid |52 attracts a metallicplate |86 secured to that end of the member |56 adjacent pivot point|58. When plate |86 is thus attracted by solenoid |52 to swing themember |56, a latch |88 pivotally mounted upon the uppermost end of astandard |90 is swung to an operative position by spring |92interconnecting the member |56 and the latch |88` As soon as solenoid|52 is de-energized, spring |92 serves to swing member |56 back towardthe normal position shown in Fig. 1 but such return movement is limitedby virtue of a stop |94 adjustably mounted on the member |56 in aposition to contact the proximal end of latch |88.

Metallic latch member |88 is released from such locked position withrespect to the member |56 by energization of the solenoid |54 to attractlatch |68 and withdraw the same from its interlocked position withrespect to the stop |94.

Solenoids 94, 96, |06, |52, |54 and |60 may all be energized through asuitable source of electrical energy |96, the entire electrical circuitshown in Fig. being initially placed in condition ready for use byclosing of manual switch |98. It is seen in Fig. 10 that the solenoid|60 is energized upon closing of the switch 90 and that solenoids 94 and96 are energized simultaneously upon closing of the switch that includespins 40 and 44, it being remembered that switch 54 is normally in theclosed position shown in Fig. 10. Interengagement of the contact points40 and 44 also energizes the solenoid |52 simultaneously with theenergization of solenoids 94 and 96.

Solenoids |06 and |54 are in a separate circuit and are energizedsimultaneously through the medium of a manual switch 200. It is also tobe noted in Fig. 10 that solenoids 94, 96 and |52 may be energized asdesired by the operator irrespective of the condition of contact points40 and 44 by the closing of a third manual switch 202.

Assuming the well drilling structure to be in an operating conditionwith the drilling string lowered into the well and with the bit thereofat the lowermost end thereof, the operation of the recorder abovedescribed is as follows:

Tape ||6 moving at a constant speed and being driven by the timingmechanism |30, has a 1ongitudinal, rectilinear line 204 marked thereonby the stylus |66. Inasmuch as the wheels 2l and 28 are held operablyinterengaged by the spring 34, downward movement of the drilling stringand its bit will progressively rotate the shaft I4, the wheels 20 and 28and the cam member 56 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7. As soonas the bit of the drilling assembly has descended one foot, wheel 20will have rotated a complete revolution, bringing the cam 56 intooperative engagement with the arm 62. Arm 62 will, as above described,actuate the shaft 68 and the cup 82 as cam 56 moves to a positionclearing flange 68 and the switch 90 will thereby be momentarily closed.

Referring therefore, to Fig. 10, it is seen that solenoid |60 willaccordingly be energized for only a moment and referring next to Fig. 1,it is seen that energization of the solenoid |60 will attract themetallic arm |62. As arm |62 is thus moved toward the solenoid |60 andswings on pivot point |64, the stylus |66 will be shifted or swung withrespect to the path of travel of the tape ||6. A relatively shortoblique mark 206 will then appear upon the tape ||6 extending to oneside of the rectilinear line 204.

As soon as solenoid |60 is de-energized, spring |68 will return the arm|62 and the stylus |66 to the normal position where stylus |66 is againin a position to mark the line 204. Each time the arm |62 is thus swungby solenoid |60, the spring |14 in engagement with the teeth |18 of cam|16, will impart rotative movement to cam |16. Such step-by-stepmovement of the cam |16 continues and inasmuch as ten teeth |18 areprovided on the cam |16, the latter will rotate a complete revolutioneach time the drilling bit has progressed ten feet.

The extent of movement of the arm |62 toward the solenoid |60 isgoverned by the screw |12 coming into contact with the cam member |16,and therefore, the cam member |16 operates as stop means within the pathof travel of stylus |66 to limit the extent of swinging move'- ment ofstylus |16 in both directions. Since cam member |16 rotates, the extentof movement of stylus |16 is varied. If the cam member |16 is in aposition when arm |62 is swung to receive the proximal end of screw |12at a point thereon between the annular row of indentations |80, then theoblique line 206 will appear on the tape ||6. If however, cam |16 is ina position to receive the screw |12 by the latter moving into one of thefive indentations |80, then obviously, arm |62 will move closer to theenergized solenoid |60 and the extent of travel of stylus |66 will begreater. During such movement of the arm |62 and stylus |66, longeroblique lines 208 will be marked on tape ||6 by stylus |66.

Cam |16 is so formed as to cause the presentation of alternateindicating markings 206 and 208 on the tape ||6 since the indentations|80 are equally spaced around the cam member |16 and the flat bottomwall thereof is substantially the same as the distance between theindentations |80. Outward swinging movement of the arm |62 away from thede-energized solenoid |60 under influence of the spring |68, is limitedby the J-shaped rod having its outermost free end normally in contactwith the cam member |16 in alignment with the indentation |82.Consequently, whenever cam |16 is in a position with the indentation|82, aligned with rod |10, arm |62 will swing a greater distanceoutwardly when solenoid |60 is de-energized.

Such operation will cause the stylus |66 to override to the side of line204 opposite to indicating marks 206 and 208. Thereafter, while thesheave I6 is revolving for an additional cycle, stylus |66 will producea relatively short straight line 2I0 parallel with the line 204.Inasmuch as only one indentation |82 is provided on the cam |16, andfurther because of the fact that cam |16 completes one revolution foreach ten feet, the lines 2 I 0 will indicate each ten feet of drilling.

In reading the charted tape II6 therefore, it is seen that the number offeet drilled in a given period of time can easily and quickly bedetermined by counting the number of markings 2I0, each indicating a tenfoot descent of the drilling bit. Between the ten foot indications 2|0,each two feet may be counted by virtue of the marks 208 and each onefoot of progress is indicated by the marks 206.

Such operation continues as long as the drilling bit remains at thebottom of the well in an operating condition. If however, such bit iswithdrawn from the bottom of the well to impart a counter-rotativemotion to the sheave I6, then the pin 40 will move from its engagedposition with respect to the pin 42 until the same comes into contactwith the electrical contact pin 44. As soon as such electricalconnection is established, the circuit is closed through solenoids 94,96 and |52 because of the fact that switch 54 is still in the normallyclosed position.

Immediately upon the energization of solenoids 94 and 96, wheel 20 willbe attracted against spring 34 moving the same out of frictional contactwith the wheel 28 and thereby stopping further rotative movement ofwheel 20. As soon as wheel '20 clears the spring member 98, the latterwill snap into place upon the annular portion |00 and the switch 54 willbe opened.

Opening of the switch 54 as seen in Fig. 10., deenergizes solenoid 94and 06 which releases the wheel 20 whereupon spring 34 moves Wheel 20toward the wheel 28 until the same is stopped by the spring member 98contacting the annular shoulder |02.

During the time that the drilling string is being retracted and thesheave I6 consequently rotated in a direction counter to its normalrotative movement, contact points 40 and 44 will remain closed andsolenoid |52 will continue to be energized. As solenoid |52 attractsplate |86 to swing the member |56, stylus |66 will again be moved to aposition on the tape II6 on one side of line 204 opposite to markings206 and 208. Until such time as the drilling string is again lowered,stylus |66 will produce a straight mark 2 I2 on the tape I I6 parallelwith the lines 204 and 2I0, the line 2|2 being spaced further from line204 than that of line '2|0.

As soon as the drilling string is lowered, pin 40 will move away fromthe pin 44 to break the circuit through solenoid |52, whereupon vspring|92 will retract member |56 until the stop I 94 comes into contact withlatch |88. Since stylus |66 moves only part of its way back toward theline 204, another straight line 2 I4 will be formed on the tape I6 inparallelism with the line 204, but spaced therefrom. If the drillingstring is again raised before reaching the bottom of the well, anotherline 2I6 comparable to line 2|2 will be formed on the tape II6. When theoperator again lowers the drilling string and decides to permit the bitthereof to return to an operative position at the bottom of the well,switch 200 is closed to energize solenoids |06 and |54. Energization ofthe solenoid |54 Will release the latch |88 and the stylus |66 willreturn to the normal position for marking line 204.

Energization of the solenoid |06 by closing of the switch 200 willattract the arm 98 and release the wheel 20, whereupon switch 200 isagain opened and operation is continued. In the event the operatorlowers the drilling string only partially and thereupon decides tocontinue such lowering of the same to the full operative positionwithout again raising the same to the fully raised position, suchoperation will be indicated by a diagram 2I8 on the tape II6.

It is clear from the foregoing that the distance between the alternatemarkings 206 and '208 indicate the time consumed in drilling each footand obviously, as such distances are increased, diiiiculty in drillingis indicated whether the same is caused by relatively hard formations orfor other reasons. The lines 2| 2, 2|4 and 2I6, as Well as the diagram 2I8, will indicate immediately each and every period of inoperation andthe time consumed thereby.

It is clear that the entire recorder is automatic and requires verylittle operator attention, for as long as the drilling apparatus is inoperation, lines 204, 206, 268 and 2|0 will be automatically marked uponthe moving tape I I6. The only time the operator must attend to therecorder is after withdrawal of the drilling string and such attentionwill constitute merely the closing and opening of the manual switch 200.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a recorder, tape advancing mechanism; a swingable member; a stylusswingable on the member and in engagement with said tape; a prime moverfor said member and for said stylus respectively; a rotatable assembly;structure operably connected with said assembly for energizing the primemover for said stylus upon a predetermined number of cycles of rotationof said assembly in one direction; and apparatus operably connected withsaid assembly for energizing the prime mover forI said member uponrotation of said assembly in the opposite direction.

2. In a recorder, tape advancing mechanism; a swingable member; a stylusswingable on the member and in engagement with said tape; a prime moverfor said member and for said stylus respectively; a rotatable assembly;structure operably connected with said assembly for energizing the primemover for said stylus upon a predetermined number of cycles of rotationof said assembly in one direction; and apparatus operably connected withsaid assembly for energizing the prime mover for said member uponrotation of said assembly in the opposite direction, said prime moverfor the stylus being disposed to swing the stylus in a direction withrespect to the tape opposite from the direction of swinging movement ofsaid member by its prime mover with respectl to the tape.

3. In a recorder, tape advancing mechanism; a swingable member; a stylusswingable on the member and in engagement with said tape; a prime moverfor said member and for said stylus respectively; a rotatable assembly;structure operably connected with said assembly for energizing the primemover for said stylus upon a predetermined number of cycles of rotationof said assembly in one direction; apparatus operably connected withsaid assembly for energizing the prime mover for said member uponrotation of said assembly in the opposite direction; and releasablemeans for limiting the extent of return movement of said member onde-energization of its prime mover.

4. In well drilling equipment having a reciprocable drilling string, arecorder including a rotatable member adapted for connection with androtation by said drilling string in opp-osite directions as said stringis reciprocated; an electric circuit having a switch; an element mountedfor rotation by said member for closing said switch upon a predeterminednumber of cycles of rotation of said member in one direction; markingstructure having a movable stylus provided with an electric prime moverin said circuit whereby movement is imparted to the stylus upon eachclosing of the switch, said element being releasably connected with saidmember; means for releasing said element upon rotation of the member inthe opposite direction; means for swinging said stylus separate fromsaid rst-mentioned movement thereof; and mechanism operablyinterconnecting said member and said last-mentioned means for swingingthe stylus as the member rotates in said opposite direction.

5. A recorder comprising mechanism for continuously advancing a tape ata constant speed; shiftable apparatus having a stylus in markingengagement with said tape; structure for shifting said apparatus in onedirection with respect to the path of travel of said tape; a movablemember; means operably connected with said member for actuation therebyand coupled with said structure for motivating the latter upon eachmovement of said member a predetermined distance; means connected withsaid apparatus for yieldably holding the same biased in the oppositedirection; a movable element having stop means within the path of travelof said apparatus in each direction respectively; and means operaablyinterconnecting said apparatus and said element for moving the latter asthe apparatus shifts whereby to move the stop means and thereby vary theextent of shifting movement of the apparatus from one end of its path oftravel to the opposite end thereof.

6. A recorder for drilling equipment comprising mechanism forcontinuously advancing an elongated tape at a predetermined, constantspeed on its longitudinal axis; a swingable arm; a stylus mounted on thearm in marking engagement with the tape for swinging movementtransversely of the tape; an elongated member on the arm; a rotatablecam having a circumferential surface within the path of travel of themember as said arm is swung in one direction, there being a number ofequally spaced indentations in said surface of the cam; means on the armfor stepping the cam each time the arm is swung whereby to alternatelydispose the indentations for engagement by the member and thereby varythe extent of swinging movement of the arm; electrical means forswinging the arm, the stylus and. the member as a unit in one direction;means coupled with the stylus for swinging the same in the oppositedirection; an electric circuit for said electrical means; a normallyopen switch in said circuit; rotatable structure operably coupled withsaid equipment for rotation thereby in one direction as the drilling bitthereof is advanced; and means mounted on said structure for periodicengagement with the switch as the structure is rotated to close theswitch and thereby swing the stylus in said one direction.

7. A recorder for drilling equipment comprising mechanism forcontinuously advancing an elongated tape at a predetermined, constantspeed on its longitudinal axis; a stylus in marking engagement with thetape and mounted for swinging movement transversely of the tape;electrical means for swinging the stylus in one direction; means coupledwith the stylus for swinging the same in the opposite direction; anelectric circuit for said electrical means; a normally open switch insaid circuit; rotatable structure operably coupled with said equipmentfor rotation thereby in one direction as the drilling bit thereof isadvanced; and means mounted on said structure for periodic engagementwith the switch as the structure is rotated to close the switch andthereby swing the stylus in said one direction, there being a movablemember for limiting the extent of swinging movement of the stylus insaid one direction, and means coupling the stylus with said member formoving the latter each time the stylus is swung by said electricalmeans, whereby to vary the extent of swinging movement of the stylus.

8. A recorder as set forth in claim 7, wherein is provided a rotatablecam member having a plurality of circumferentially-arrangedindentations, an element mounted on the stylus for movement toward andaway from the member as the stylus is swung, and means on the stylus forstepping the cam member each time the stylus is swung, to alternatelydispose the indentations within the path of said element, whereby tovary the extent of swinging movement of the stylus.

9. A recorder comprising mechanism for continuously advancing a tape ata. constant speed; shiftable apparatus having a stylus in markingengagement with said tape; structure for shifting said apparatus in onedirection with respect to the path of travel of said tape; a movablemember; means operably connected with said member for actuation thereby,and coupled with said structure for motivating the latter upon eachmovement of said member, a predetermined distance; stop means within thepath of travel of said apparatus, said stop means being movable to varythe extent of shifting movement of the apparatus in said one direction;and means operably connecting said apparatus and the stop means formoving the latter upon each shifting movement of the apparatus.

10. A recorder comprising mechanism for continuously advancing a tape ata constant speed; shiftable apparatus having a stylus in markingengagement with said tape; structure for shifting said apparatus in onedirection with respect to the path of travel of said tape; a movablemember; means operably connected with said member for actuation thereby,and coupled with said structure for motivating the latter upon eachmovement of said member a predetermined distance; movable stop meanswithin the path of travel of said apparatus for limiting,` the extent ofshifting movement thereof, in said. one direction; and means operablyinterconnecting said apparatus and said stop means, for moving thelatter as the apparatus shifts, whereby to vary said extent of shiftingmovement of the apparatus.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,222,502 Wiley Apr. 10, 1917 1,322,148 Sprague Nov. 18, 19191,404,580 Choppinet et a1. Jan. 24, 1922 Number 14 Name Date Frazer Feb.19, 1924 Williams Apr. 25, 1933 Ferguson July 18, 1933 Nichols June 30,1942 Keeler Dec. 8, 1942 Hayward Aug. 10, 1943 Sikes, Jr Sept. 28, 1943McLaine Aug. 29, 1944 Silverman Dec. 12, 1944 Rutherford Dec. 4, 1945Ericsson Oct. 22, 1946 Crookston Aug. 28, 1951

